Feminism – The Taboo Territory

 

Why are women who support the definition of feminism so afraid to label themselves as ‘feminists’? Why does this word send women running in the opposite direction? Why should we be so obviously against the term but agree with the entirety of its values? These are just a few questions that come to mind when tackling the issue of feminism. In fact, it would seem this is the one problem causing equality to fall behind, wasting away in the corner until it is brought to life, dusted off, by the one trusty woman who isn’t afraid to announce herself as a self-proclaimed feminist.  One might suggest that this is where things have gone wrong – there isn’t enough being done to face up to the lack of equality in political, educational , economic and social sectors and instead of heading at this straight on, we sit back thinking others will do it for us because we aren’t the ones who call themselves ‘feminists’. It’s all well and good saying that we support the values of feminism but when it comes down to it we won’t be the first person to get up and do something about it. This all adds up to the reason why this term is so rarely used by women – it is the negative stigma which surrounds it, making it an utmost taboo to speak up and say “I AM A FEMINIST!”. This negative stigma alludes to the idea that many women believe that labelling themselves as feminists would surely mean that they would be identified as unshaven, make-up less misandrists, who seek to destroy the entire male race and take over the world. This may be an exaggerated view but it is one which is relevant nonetheless.  It has been suggested that ‘by abandoning the word, we are letting opponents dictate the terms of our fight”. Basically, the less use this word gets, the less likely we are at achieving a goal where it is deemed a positive thing to label ourselves as feminists and until we do this we will inevitably be beaten by the opposing force.

What is hard to believe is the way that this approach to the term ‘feminism’ doesn’t stop at us, the ordinary people, it lives within celebrity culture. It was apparent to all eyes who could see that Katy Perry whilst collecting an award shunned the term herself commenting, “I’m not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women”. This almost seems a cliché nowadays, almost as if we have to back ourselves up for not labelling ourselves as feminists. Unfortunately, it is the harsh reality – Katy Perry, a role model for many teenage girls, publicly denies her feminist identity – something which will rub off onto this teenage generation and probably many more to come.

It is no lie that the battle of the sexes will most definitely be an on-going fight for victory but the acceptance of this word, not shying away from it and not running a mile when you are asked whether or not you are a feminist are all things which need to be embraced before equality can be recognised in all things women-related. Whilst some may think they will never publicly admit to being a feminist seething at the equality struggle, one cannot and should not ignore the fact that ‘wherever there is power, men are squatting on the best positions’ and maybe when this is fully acknowledged, female power shall spread like disease through a society damned by the taboo territory of feminism.

 -Olivia